NFL 2012 Schedule: 5 Matchups That Won't Live Up to Hype

There are plenty of games on the 2012 NFL schedule that will be hyped by many, but in the end, will turn into complete flops. It happens every season, and this year will be no different.

Last year at this time, it was still the Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots matchup that had everybody antsy for football to return. Then, one Peyton Manning injury later, the matchup turned into what most thought would be a laugher for the Patriots.

Teams change from year to year. There are bad teams on paper, right now, that will give us a phenomenal game with playoff implications in December.

But the opposite is true too. Good teams on paper will be bad, and those top-flight games will turn into sleepers.

Here are the five matchups in 2012 that won't come close to living up to the hype.

2. New York Jets vs. New England Patriots

This matchup has become a pregame talk show, led by New York Jets head coach, Rex Ryan.

The New England Patriots are far superior to the Jets and the margin between the two teams isn't even close.

That should be evident by the Jets' 2-4 record against the Patriots during the Mark Sanchez/coach Ryan era.

The Jets have been able to make up for Sanchez’s inability (low completion percentage, low yardage and high turnover totals) at quarterback with their defense. But last season, the defense struggled when it needed to step up.

There has not been a lot of movement with the Jets' defense this offseason and they will again struggle offensively.

The signing of Tim Tebow is being over-hyped too. Opponents will have an easy time shutting him down when he’s in the game since he'll likely be running the football.

Tom Brady will again lead one of the most potent offenses in NFL history, making it too hard for the Jets to keep up. Which for the fans, means another year of an over-hyped rival.